My love for grilled cheese has been a well known and well documented fixture in my life for many years now. I think it started with ordering a fabulous grilled cheese (cheddar on french bread) at Rosemary's Creamery after a dance recital, and the rest is history. Seeing as I quit dancing once and for all somewhere around the ripe old age of 6, the history between me and grilled cheese is pretty ancient.
But last night, for a new and exciting Meatless Monday, I stepped the love of grilled cheese up a notch, with AMAZING results. The wise thing to do would have been, of course, to have taken pictures. But, alas, despite my shiny new COLLEGE DIPLOMA (which came in the mail yesterday), I am not as wise as I often wish. So, use your imagination, kids.
Get ready to start drooling! I caramelized onions to make an AMAZING gruyere and caramelized onion grilled cheese on fresh french bread. Also a fan favorite (and by fan, I mean my grandpa... I'm just starting out, give me a break!) was the tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella panini. Just like the ones my sister and I ate at a sidewalk cafe in Florence, Italy, and absolutely to DIE for. The next twist on an old favorite was sharp cheddar cheese grilled on cinnamon raisin bread. Sounds weird, but I'm telling you, delicious and unexpected!
And that's just me getting started! Tomorrow night, I'm grilling up some italian sausages (an unlisted goal of mine for this year and the rest of my life is to learn how to grill like a man!), pairing it with a risotto and peas and my famous garlic bread! Dessert will be a panna cotta with blueberries. I'm really excited to try everything.
And, of course, with all this cooking involving cheese and heavy cream, I'm also REALLY excited about the new fitness routine I've started on (ha)! I just finished day 2 of the plan, and knowing my history with diet and exercise, I admit it will be nothing short of a miracle if I even finish out the whole week. But the calendar in this month's self magazine is seriously GREAT... I'm feeling the burn, but in a totally do-able way. And, jump roping? Amazing cardio that makes me feel like I'm in third grade again (it was a simpler time). Only difference is I don't remember being quite so out of breath and sweaty back then...
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
What the hell am I doing?
I haven't been sleeping very well for the past several nights, and here's why: I've had the same phrase reverberating through my skull, and no matter what I do, I can't seem to get any relief from it. The phrase? "What the hell am I DOING?!" I'm not even sure which part of my life the phrase is in reference to anymore, because sadly, it's a pretty comfy fit for every new venture I'm taking on.
I'm in the final stages of becoming certified to substitute teach, despite the fact that I could make almost no money doing this, and I'm terrified of the day just ONE of the kids I'm teaching realizes I can't MAKE them do anything (including behave). It'll all be downhill from there. Considering all that... WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?
I'm living in a town that despite having some great things to offer (such as close proximity to my family and low cost of living), I feel like I'm the TOTAL odd man out. I know this is probably a major exaggeration, and I'll find my new niche (I've changed a LOT since high school) in next to no time, but meanwhile... the sleepless nights are suffocating. There are times I really love this place, despite how much I complain (gotta work on that), but there are other times that I feel like I'm going nowhere fast here, and it is NOT a good feeling.
Then, the east coast trip. I have been SO excited about this trip for so long. Visiting my sister in D.C., seeing Philadelphia, looking at 3 grad schools throughout eastern Pennsylvania, renting my first car, staying in hotels by myself? It's like the ultimate act of independence and exactly the plunge I've been talking about taking in so many of my old posts. But then my mom's voice got inside my head, and all I can think of when I think of this trip is (you guessed it) WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING? I don't have a job, and yet I'm going to drop almost 2,000 dollars on a trip to see a bunch of different colored LEAVES? Seriously?! And yes, there's the added bonus of looking at grad schools... but what if I decide I don't even want to GO to these grad schools? So then I think ok, what if I don't go to any of them? It's an adventure, it's an experience, and it's a chance to see 4 places in Pennsylvania I've never seen before. This is a good thing! It would just be a slightly less stress-inducing thing if I were driving a vehicle I owned, in a city I'd seen before, and wasn't spending every night alone in different money-sucking, possibly completely dangerous motels. But you know what? It isn't an adventure if it happens in your own backyard. I need to suck it up and get happy already. I deserve it, and if I'm dropping this much cash on it, I better at least ENJOY it.
I guess I just need to get more ok doing things on my own. I'm young, I'm healthy, and I'm excited about the world. Driving around Pennsylvania by myself is a little bit out of my comfort zone, but that's a GOOD thing, right? It's better to do it myself and see what I'm capable of than to miss out on it because I don't have anyone to babysit me. And I mean, it's eastern Pennsylvania, for God's sake. AMISH PEOPLE LIVE THERE! What's the worst that could happen? I'm doing this, and I'm going to love it. EVEN IF IT KILLS ME.
(So there, Mom.)
This ends tonight's crazy rant. Thanks for listening.
I'm in the final stages of becoming certified to substitute teach, despite the fact that I could make almost no money doing this, and I'm terrified of the day just ONE of the kids I'm teaching realizes I can't MAKE them do anything (including behave). It'll all be downhill from there. Considering all that... WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?
I'm living in a town that despite having some great things to offer (such as close proximity to my family and low cost of living), I feel like I'm the TOTAL odd man out. I know this is probably a major exaggeration, and I'll find my new niche (I've changed a LOT since high school) in next to no time, but meanwhile... the sleepless nights are suffocating. There are times I really love this place, despite how much I complain (gotta work on that), but there are other times that I feel like I'm going nowhere fast here, and it is NOT a good feeling.
Then, the east coast trip. I have been SO excited about this trip for so long. Visiting my sister in D.C., seeing Philadelphia, looking at 3 grad schools throughout eastern Pennsylvania, renting my first car, staying in hotels by myself? It's like the ultimate act of independence and exactly the plunge I've been talking about taking in so many of my old posts. But then my mom's voice got inside my head, and all I can think of when I think of this trip is (you guessed it) WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING? I don't have a job, and yet I'm going to drop almost 2,000 dollars on a trip to see a bunch of different colored LEAVES? Seriously?! And yes, there's the added bonus of looking at grad schools... but what if I decide I don't even want to GO to these grad schools? So then I think ok, what if I don't go to any of them? It's an adventure, it's an experience, and it's a chance to see 4 places in Pennsylvania I've never seen before. This is a good thing! It would just be a slightly less stress-inducing thing if I were driving a vehicle I owned, in a city I'd seen before, and wasn't spending every night alone in different money-sucking, possibly completely dangerous motels. But you know what? It isn't an adventure if it happens in your own backyard. I need to suck it up and get happy already. I deserve it, and if I'm dropping this much cash on it, I better at least ENJOY it.
I guess I just need to get more ok doing things on my own. I'm young, I'm healthy, and I'm excited about the world. Driving around Pennsylvania by myself is a little bit out of my comfort zone, but that's a GOOD thing, right? It's better to do it myself and see what I'm capable of than to miss out on it because I don't have anyone to babysit me. And I mean, it's eastern Pennsylvania, for God's sake. AMISH PEOPLE LIVE THERE! What's the worst that could happen? I'm doing this, and I'm going to love it. EVEN IF IT KILLS ME.
(So there, Mom.)
This ends tonight's crazy rant. Thanks for listening.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Operation Beautiful
It's only been a few days since I hung my motivational bulletin board, but already, I'm seeing effects that I never imagined. The first quote that's starting a change in my life is by Ghandi, and it's a fairly popular one; "Be the change you wish to see in the world". It's pretty simple, but I always imagined it on such a large scale that I couldn't really apply it to my life. But sure enough, through a series of unexpected events, this quote has been at the front of my mind, and is leading me to take a real interest in promoting Operation Beautiful, which I hope everyone else will embrace as well. Check out the movement's website here: http://operationbeautiful.com/
I've been really spoiled throughout college with the friends that I've found. I didn't have many close girlfriends, but the ones I made in the past 4 years, and the ones that have stuck with me from high school despite the distance and time constraints, are such amazing women. I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by people who value others for the things that really matter: strength of character, sense of humor, intelligence, and dependability (just to name a few). In fact, I've been so surrounded by these people, that it was all too easy to forget that there are a lot of people out there who only value themselves for their ability to bring others down, and will do so in just about any way possible.
But these people ARE out there, and there are way too many of them. And after a recent run-in, it was way too easy to fall into the trap, and join the forces of hateful, catty, shallow women to fight back. Which is when the Ghandi quote really hit home for me. If I want to live in a world where women are more interested in encouraging each other, rather than pulling each other down, I have to start by being a person who does that. And, let's face it, that world is probably never going to happen while I'm still young. But when I think of my 7 year old cousin, who is an absolute knockout (with a great personality and fabulous mind to boot), I don't want her to ever have to deal with bitchy, catty girls who recognize her value, but would rather put her down for it than appreciate it.
It feels like we live in a world that is modeled after an episode of The Bachelor, and it's a no holds barred, anything goes competition for men, where we see every other female as the enemy. That's why Operation Beautiful is SUCH a cool thing. No one said men couldn't get involved, but the stories on the site are all about women bringing other women up, and encouraging them to see their own value and beauty without considering aesthetics. And the best part is, by being part of Operation Beautiful, you may not even know the woman you're encouraging. Many people leave encouraging notes on bathroom mirrors, lamp posts, and other high traffic public places. There's no way of knowing what woman will read the note and have her spirits lifted, but you can be sure that for someone, it will be the boost they need.
So who's with me? Who's ready to live in a world where a woman can recognize her own worth, regardless of what she sees in the mirror, and recognize the worth of others for things bigger and more important than their looks? I know I am. Let's make it happen.
I've been really spoiled throughout college with the friends that I've found. I didn't have many close girlfriends, but the ones I made in the past 4 years, and the ones that have stuck with me from high school despite the distance and time constraints, are such amazing women. I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by people who value others for the things that really matter: strength of character, sense of humor, intelligence, and dependability (just to name a few). In fact, I've been so surrounded by these people, that it was all too easy to forget that there are a lot of people out there who only value themselves for their ability to bring others down, and will do so in just about any way possible.
But these people ARE out there, and there are way too many of them. And after a recent run-in, it was way too easy to fall into the trap, and join the forces of hateful, catty, shallow women to fight back. Which is when the Ghandi quote really hit home for me. If I want to live in a world where women are more interested in encouraging each other, rather than pulling each other down, I have to start by being a person who does that. And, let's face it, that world is probably never going to happen while I'm still young. But when I think of my 7 year old cousin, who is an absolute knockout (with a great personality and fabulous mind to boot), I don't want her to ever have to deal with bitchy, catty girls who recognize her value, but would rather put her down for it than appreciate it.
It feels like we live in a world that is modeled after an episode of The Bachelor, and it's a no holds barred, anything goes competition for men, where we see every other female as the enemy. That's why Operation Beautiful is SUCH a cool thing. No one said men couldn't get involved, but the stories on the site are all about women bringing other women up, and encouraging them to see their own value and beauty without considering aesthetics. And the best part is, by being part of Operation Beautiful, you may not even know the woman you're encouraging. Many people leave encouraging notes on bathroom mirrors, lamp posts, and other high traffic public places. There's no way of knowing what woman will read the note and have her spirits lifted, but you can be sure that for someone, it will be the boost they need.
So who's with me? Who's ready to live in a world where a woman can recognize her own worth, regardless of what she sees in the mirror, and recognize the worth of others for things bigger and more important than their looks? I know I am. Let's make it happen.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Be Classy, Not Trashy
I think the funny thing about class is that it only ever looks effortless. It rarely, if ever, ACTUALLY is. Or maybe that's just me.
So today, I'm working on being classy. Because today is the day I feel not at all like I want to be classy, and I think those are the situations when class is most necessary, and most appreciable. The plan is to channel Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn... ladies who handled every situation with grace and manners.
God, if only it could be that easy.
So today, I'm working on being classy. Because today is the day I feel not at all like I want to be classy, and I think those are the situations when class is most necessary, and most appreciable. The plan is to channel Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn... ladies who handled every situation with grace and manners.
God, if only it could be that easy.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Words to Live By
Today I am super excited, because I have FINALLY finished working on the desk/wall area of my room. I still have 2 1/2 walls plus closet to go, but the first chunk is finished, and I'm really thrilled with it.
I read in a magazine article that extending your desk to a bulletin board above it is one of the best things you can do to keep a small space uncluttered (and my room at home is the definition of "small space". I'm often surprised a double bed fits in there). But then I was reading another article about every piece in your room having a purpose, or a function, and not having needless clutter just for decoration's sake. So then I was really perplexed. Is it worth spending time and money for something that's just going to move the clutter from my desk to my wall? Is that really a purpose? I decided it wasn't.
So then some more deep thinking had to occur (all for a desk... ridiculous I know, but like I said, I have a LOT of free time lately). What do I want this space to do for me? The main things I'm using my desk for, now that I'm not a student, are grad school applications, job applications, and planning a solo trip on a tight budget to the east coast. Considering all this, the main emotion I have when I'm at my desk is one of being COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED. So the purpose needed to be motivation, encouragement, and a gentle nudge in the right direction. So I found all these amazing quotes (products on http://quotablecards.com/ if you don't feel like making your own, like I did), and got to work.
One massive art project later, and I've got a space that's everything I want it to be. A place to put bills and pictures and post-it reminders, but also, a place that's going to inspire me to keep working through the more overwhelming moments that are sure to come in the next several months. And if I do say so, it looks adorable, right?!
But, since I'm not the only one in cyberspace experiencing some overwhelming moments in my life, here are the quotes I used on my board. I seriously LOVE them, and think they are great words by some seriously smart people to live your life by.
"If we all did the things we were capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas Edison
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined." - Thoureau
"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think that you've lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And the now is right on time." - Asha Tyson
"Just when the caterpillar though the world was over, it became a butterfly." - Proverb
"Go forth, and set the world on fire." - St. Ignatious Loyola
"Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is." - Mary Anne Radmacher
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." - unknown
"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." - Neale Donald Walsch
"Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." - William Faulkner
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." - Vivan Greene
I read in a magazine article that extending your desk to a bulletin board above it is one of the best things you can do to keep a small space uncluttered (and my room at home is the definition of "small space". I'm often surprised a double bed fits in there). But then I was reading another article about every piece in your room having a purpose, or a function, and not having needless clutter just for decoration's sake. So then I was really perplexed. Is it worth spending time and money for something that's just going to move the clutter from my desk to my wall? Is that really a purpose? I decided it wasn't.
So then some more deep thinking had to occur (all for a desk... ridiculous I know, but like I said, I have a LOT of free time lately). What do I want this space to do for me? The main things I'm using my desk for, now that I'm not a student, are grad school applications, job applications, and planning a solo trip on a tight budget to the east coast. Considering all this, the main emotion I have when I'm at my desk is one of being COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED. So the purpose needed to be motivation, encouragement, and a gentle nudge in the right direction. So I found all these amazing quotes (products on http://quotablecards.com/ if you don't feel like making your own, like I did), and got to work.
One massive art project later, and I've got a space that's everything I want it to be. A place to put bills and pictures and post-it reminders, but also, a place that's going to inspire me to keep working through the more overwhelming moments that are sure to come in the next several months. And if I do say so, it looks adorable, right?!
But, since I'm not the only one in cyberspace experiencing some overwhelming moments in my life, here are the quotes I used on my board. I seriously LOVE them, and think they are great words by some seriously smart people to live your life by.
"If we all did the things we were capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas Edison
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined." - Thoureau
"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think that you've lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And the now is right on time." - Asha Tyson
"Just when the caterpillar though the world was over, it became a butterfly." - Proverb
"Go forth, and set the world on fire." - St. Ignatious Loyola
"Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is." - Mary Anne Radmacher
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." - unknown
"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." - Neale Donald Walsch
"Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." - William Faulkner
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." - Vivan Greene
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Julie and Julia? Try Becca and Betty!
I've been absolutely LOVING all the cooking I've been able to do in my free time. The free time itself, I have mixed feelings about (and by mixed, I mean 99% of the time, I hate it), but the cooking that happens to break up the monotony has been great.
Not only does cooking generally lead to eating (which is one of my most favorite things in the world), it is so relaxing! The clean-up after I could do without, but there's a lot to be appreciated in creating something whole out of several disjointed pieces, and having a clear direction that you're working towards. If only life could be so straightforward, right?
Here are a few of the things I've been working on that I actually remembered to take pictures of! I need to start keeping my camera in my kitchen more, because the fact that I only have 2 pictures is kind of pathetic. Hopefully there will be more to come later!
German Chocolate Cupcakes from scratch:
Chocolate Cream Pie from scratch (recipe from Joy of Cooking):
Not only does cooking generally lead to eating (which is one of my most favorite things in the world), it is so relaxing! The clean-up after I could do without, but there's a lot to be appreciated in creating something whole out of several disjointed pieces, and having a clear direction that you're working towards. If only life could be so straightforward, right?
Here are a few of the things I've been working on that I actually remembered to take pictures of! I need to start keeping my camera in my kitchen more, because the fact that I only have 2 pictures is kind of pathetic. Hopefully there will be more to come later!
German Chocolate Cupcakes from scratch:
Chocolate Cream Pie from scratch (recipe from Joy of Cooking):
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)